The second round of The Open was the scene of controversy after one of the leading contenders was handed a two-shot penalty.

Bryson DeChambeau had been on course to go within a stroke of the lead after shooting an impressive 66 through Friday’s action. A birdie-birdie finish was set to leave the 32-year-old American in the final group heading into the weekend, though, he was called back out after finishing his round to respond to a potential infringement.

DeChambeau was later penalised, having been adjudged to have inadvertently improved his lie on the fifth hole.

After initially telling officials he wouldn’t play the third round, the California native has since confirmed he will continue at Royal Birkdale, with tournament officials now explaining why he was punished.

Bryson DeChambeau’s Open Penalty Explained

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After a wayward tee shot landed him in heavy rough, DeChambeau was shaping up for his second when the infringement took place.

TV pictures showed the American treading over the deep grass before hitting his shot. He went on the make a bogey on that hole, but was in sparkling form for the rest of his round. It brought four birdies – on the ninth, 11th, 17th, and 18th – which placed him in contention for the lead.

However, officials determined DeChambeau’s actions on the fifth had brought him an advantage.

Returning to the scene with The R&A, DeChambeau sought to plead his case for around 15 minutes, but was unable to convince them. That led to the seven-under-par he’d finished his round with being dropped back to a five, leaving him three shots behind the leader.

Referee Explains Bryson DeChambeau’s Penalty

The rule that DeChambeau was adjudged to have broken is rule 8.1, relating to playing the course as you find it. This applies even when the action is deemed to be accidental, as executive director of governance for The R&A Grant Moir confirmed.

Speaking to reporters, Moir explained DeChambeau had been punished for “inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing” on the fifth hole.

Running through the technicalities, Moir told how ruling one restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke. This includes the area of the player’s intended swing.

An improvement means altering one or more of the conditions impacting the stroke so the player gains a potential advantage. In DeChambeau’s case, this was the deep rough he’d stepped over in setting himself for his shot.

Moir said this applies even when the action is accidental, as it was for the two-time US Open champion.

Moir continued: “The prohibited action here is that the player mustn’t move, bend, or break any growing or attached natural objects.”

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While there are allowances for players to fairly take their stance by taking “reasonable actions to get to the ball,” they have to take the “least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation and are not entitled to a normal stance or swing.”

Moir reiterated this applies even with no intention to improve the area, confirming they did not believe DeChambeau had done it on purpose.

Aston Villa are on the verge of sealing a major midfield rebuild this weekend, with a third signing on the verge of completion, according to reports.

The Villans have had a busy fortnight after losing Amadou Onana to a serious knee injury, with Youri Tielemans joining Man Utd and Lucas Digne on the verge of signing for Paris Saint-Germain, while Johan Manzambi has completed a club-record move to join the club, and Joao Gomes is close behind.

Unai Emery is keen to ensure his squad is strong and competitive after qualifying for the Champions League for next season, and the club are now closing in on another rival to bolster their midfield.

Joao Palhinha Set to Travel to Birmingham

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According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Aston Villa are ‘one step away’ from completing a move to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.

The Portugal international spent last season on loan at Tottenham and scored the crucial goals that kept them in the Premier League, but Spurs opted against making his loan permanent after signing Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

Palhinha, who De Zerbi described as ‘one of the best’, was now returned to his parent club in Germany, but they are keen to offload him and a return to the Premier League looks nailed on.

Talks are ongoing between the two clubs to find a final agreement, but it’s reported in Portugal that the 30-year-old is scheduled to jet into the UK on Saturday in order to complete a medical and put pen to paper on a deal at Villa Park.

It’s believed that Villa favours a loan move with an option to buy, and while Bayern favour a permanent move, they would be willing to sanction a loan on the right terms.

Aston Villa Bounce Back Perfectly

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Nobody at Aston Villa wanted to lose Tielemans or Digne this summer, but release clauses in their contract left the club helpless. What was important was how the board and recruitment team responded to the unexpected exits, and they’ve done brilliantly.

Manzambi was a long-term target who they jumped ahead of Newcastle to sign following a stellar World Cup, while Joao Gomes was a big opportunity signing following Wolves’ relegation, and was available for a similar fee to what Tielemans left for.

Pervis Estupinan has already agreed personal terms ahead of a move from AC Milan too, to strengthen at left-back, and with Palhinha on the verge of arriving, the squad is arguably now stronger than it was two weeks ago.

US President Donald Trump is being mocked on social media after giving his tactical insight following Argentina’s 2-1 win over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, Trump raised eyebrows with critical comments about Thomas Tuchel’s use of England’s record goalscorer Harry Kane during the closing stages of Wednesday’s match at the Atlanta Stadium.

The 80-year-old also provided his thoughts on the impact of Lionel Messi, Argentina’s talismanic captain who inspired the comeback by providing the assists for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez.

Messi, 39, now leads the race for the Golden Boot (top scorer) and Golden Ball (best player) accolades, as well as the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.

The Inter Miami forward will further cement his status, in the eyes of many, as the greatest footballer of all time if he successfully helps Argentina defend their World Cup trophy this weekend.

Trump Reveals Messi Tactical Observation

Image credit: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Speaking alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump explained he noticed something with Messi that “nobody talked about” during the England game.

“I watched Messi and he was well guarded, right? Well guarded,” Trump said. “And all of a sudden he’s standing on the right – do you understand [pointing to a reporter] what I’m talking about?

“I said ‘he’s still well guarded by a great player’ and then… [Messi] moved to the right, and the other player was just standing there. And [Messi] had plenty of time, kicked it, it was within a quarter of an inch of being perfect. That was the end of the game, it was brilliant.” Watch the clip below:

REUTERS/Stephanie Scarbrough

Trump is being mocked by football fans after trying to take credit for spotting Messi had drifted wide to the right flank.

One person wrote on X (Twitter): “‘Nobody talked about it’? What an utter fool,” while another added:

A third wrote: “‘Nobody talked about it’ – Soccer expert Donald J. Trump.”

While a fourth tweeted: ‘He can see what nobody else can, it’s incredible.”

A fifth football fan said: “This fella is comedy gold,” while a sixth commented:

Aside from England’s defensive approach after taking the lead through Anthony Gordon, Messi moving to the right wing (not for the first time at this summer’s World Cup) in order to find space in the second half was the most notable and discussed tactical moment of the match.

It was from the right wing that Messi setup both of Argentina’s goals. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez even noted after the match: “Getting Messi on the wing was the key for us.”